US President Donald Trump has deployed 200 National Guard troops to Oregon under federal control, sparking legal action from state officials. The move comes after Trump described Portland as “war-ravaged” and accused Antifa and domestic extremists of destabilizing the city.
A memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the troops into federal service for 60 days. The order followed Trump’s public promise to restore law and order in Portland, a city that has remained a center for protests against federal agencies.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek voiced strong opposition to the deployment. She said the state is “our home, not a military target.” Soon after, Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit in Portland against Trump, Hegseth, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The lawsuit accuses the administration of abusing military authority for political gain.
Normally, National Guard units operate under state governors. However, the president has the power to federalize them during emergencies. Trump has frequently exercised this authority in Democratic-led states, including California, Illinois, and Washington, DC, increasing political friction.
Rayfield argued that the decision was politically motivated rather than a matter of public safety. “It’s about the president flexing political muscle under the guise of law and order,” he said.
The dispute comes as protests outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities continue nationwide. Portland has remained a key protest site, although crowds have recently declined. Over the weekend, fewer than 100 people gathered outside a federal building, according to local media.
Trump’s decision also followed a deadly shooting at a Texas ICE facility. One detainee was killed and two others critically injured. Without presenting evidence, Trump blamed the attack on “radical left” groups.
However, research by the CATO Institute shows that since 2020, right-wing extremists have been responsible for most politically motivated killings in the United States, underscoring ongoing divisions in the country’s security debate.
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